Head Injury – Ages 0-11
What is it
A head injury occurs when the head receives a blow or impact. For example, an object may hit the head, or the head may hit the ground during a fall.
Related sheet available: Head Injury – Ages 12 and over
What you can do at home
What to do
- Reassure the child and make them comfortable.
- If there is a minor wound, gently wash it with tap water and mild, unscented soap (see the Superficial Wound page).
- If there is a bump or bruise, apply a cold washcloth for 15 minutes (see the Bruise or Bump page).
- Cover the wound with a bandage.
- Change the bandage once a day or whenever it becomes dirty or wet.
- Choose restful activities and have small meals.
- To reduce pain, take acetaminophen (Tylenol). When in doubt, ask a pharmacist for advice.
If the wound is bleeding heavily
- Place a bandage or clean cloth over the wound.
- Apply pressure to the bandage for 15 minutes.
- Once the bleeding has slowed, gently wash the wound with tap water and mild, unscented soap for a few minutes, then rinse.
- Cover the wound with a bandage.
- Change the bandage once a day or whenever it becomes dirty or wet.
Monitor symptoms
- Monitor the child for the first 2 hours after the injury. Watch for:
- headache;
- dizziness;
- nausea;
- unusual tiredness;
- blurred vision;
- loss of balance.
- If it is nap or bedtime, let the child sleep. After 2 hours, wake the child to make sure they are walking, talking, and responding as usual.
- Continue to monitor for symptoms for 3 days.
- Inform the daycare or school, if needed.
When to seek medical attention
- The wound is open or deep and may need stitches.
- The skin around the wound becomes red, swollen, or warm, or there is pus (yellow-green fluid).
- The headache lasts for more than 3 days.
- The injury was caused by a rusty object.
It is important to ensure that the injured person's tetanus vaccination is up to date.
Need help?
Call Info-Santé at 811, Option 1, to speak with a nurse at any time.
Go to the pharmacy for advice on medications or treatment.
Book an appointment on Clic Santé if vaccination is needed.
Make an appointment at your medical clinic or CLSC.
If you do not have a family doctor, go to gap.soinsvirtuels or call 811, Option 3.
When to go to the hospital right away
The child fell from a height of more than 1 meter or fell down more than 5 steps.
The child lost consciousness.
The child’s behaviour changes, including:
- having difficulty waking up;
- walking unusually;
- having muscle weakness;
- having difficulty speaking;
- being very irritable;
- crying continuously for more than 10 minutes.
The wound continues to bleed even after applying pressure.
There is concern that the child may have been physically abused.
Within 3 days of the head injury, the child develops any of the following
- seizures;
- confusion;
- difficulty breathing;
- difficulty walking;
- problems with balance or muscle weakness;
- difficulty speaking;
- severe headache or neck pain;
- a bulging soft spot on the top of the head (fontanelle);
- fluid coming from the nose or ears;
- unequal pupils (the black circles in the eyes);
- tingling in an arm or leg;
- bruising behind the ear;
- a black eye.
Vomiting starts or continues more than 4 hours after the head injury.
For babies under 3 months:
a large bruise (collection of blood or hematoma) on the scalp or forehead.
For kids 3 months to 2 years:
a large bruise (collection of blood or hematoma) measuring more than 2.5 cm on the scalp or forehead.